A Chase For Christmas

Chasing a dream of love

The pursuit of love has always been high on Preston Chase’s priority list. But the video game developer has yet to find the soul mate he craves. His sister’s best friend—artist and studio owner Blythe Ventura—is a world away from the shallow glam girls who’ve thrown themselves at him. With her creative spirit and passionate commitment, she’s the ideal candidate for his Winter Wonderland project. Too bad she doesn’t seem interested in being the one to win his heart.

After a string of dating disasters, Blythe isn’t ready to believe in a romantic relationship with Preston. Until their work giving sick children hope and joy for Christmas brings them together—and reveals a very different side of the notorious millionaire playboy. All she has to do is trust in the feelings Preston is awakening and this just might be the year that they both find the happy holiday ending they’ve been searching for...

He stepped closer. She didn’t even think that was possible. She gasped as his strong hands encircled her waist and drew him toward her. He raised an arrogant smirk.

“What?” he asked, puzzled. “I was just going to hug you.”

“Oh...yes...of course.” She laughed nervously and leaned in for the hug. The warmth of his body oozed right through his sweater, as did the feel of his hard muscles. If she didn’t move, she’d be a hot, steamy puddle at the man’s feet.

Pulling back, he stared down at her. “What did you think I was going to do? Kiss you?” he asked with an amused expression.

“Um...no. Well, maybe. I can never tell with you. You just surprised me, that’s all.”

“But you didn’t push me away, and I’m still holding you now and you don’t seem to mind.”

“You’re crazy.” She shrugged and gave a slight laugh. “A hug from a friend is no big deal.” She said it in a calm manner but the butterflies in her stomach were fluttering rampantly.

“Mmm-hmm.” He lowered his head and his eyes darkened.

Dear Reader,

Preston is a ladies’ man who doesn’t consider himself a player. His suave, handsome looks and intelligent charm can land him any woman he wants, except for the one who simply laughs off his advances—Blythe Ventura. He usually falls for high-maintenance women. However, there’s something about the bohemian, earthy artist that has piqued his interest ever since he laid eyes on her at a paint party with his family a year ago.

Blythe knows Preston is a player and wants nothing to do with him on a dating level. But when he asks her to assist him with his project for the children’s hospital, she can’t say no. Working in close proximity with Preston and seeing his interactions with the children, she notices a side of him that she didn’t know existed. Blythe’s guard begins to lower and she finds herself loving the chase.

I hope you enjoy reading Preston and Blythe’s love story. Feel free to contact me at www.candaceshaw.net.

Candace

A Chase for Christmas

Candace Shaw

www.millsandboon.co.uk

CANDACE SHAW writes romance novels because she believes that happily-ever-after isn’t found only in fairy tales. When she’s not writing or researching information for a book, you can find Candace in her gardens, shopping, reading or learning how to cook a new dish.

She lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her loving husband and their loyal dog, Ali. She is currently working on her next fun, flirty and sexy romance.

You can contact Candace on her website at candaceshaw.net, on Facebook at Facebook.com/authorcandaceshaw, or you can Tweet her at Twitter.com/candace_shaw.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Dear Reader

Title Page

About the Author

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Epilogue

Extract

Copyright

Chapter 1

Preston Chase perused the bakery display case and all of the tasty desserts in his view in Sweet Treats Bakery. Everything from decadent chocolate pastries to creative and too-beautiful-to-eat cupcakes seductively screamed his name. His sister was the owner and head pastry chef, so he knew whatever he selected would be delectable. But like his dating life, he couldn’t settle on just one.

Glancing up, he met his baby sister’s angelic but impatient stare. “Quick rushing me, Tiff. You have any more sweet potato pie?”

Wrinkling her nose, Tiffani Hollingsworth sighed deeply. “No, and I don’t want to see another sweet potato anything until next Thanksgiving. I think I baked over two hundred of them in the last three weeks. I’m trying to perfect an eggnog-flavored cupcake. Your nephew insists that I do so.”

“Mmm, that sounds good. I’ll volunteer to do a taste test when they’re available, but for now—” he rested his light brown eyes back on the desserts in front of him “—I need something. Everything looks so delicious.”

“You can have more than one,” she suggested. “While you decide, tell me more about your Winter Wonderland project, and how I can assist.” Leaving her spot behind the counter, she trekked over to the door, locked it and flipped the sign on the glass to Closed.